Many of you have heard that Glenn is known for playing music in the morning before going on air. His music can range "from Muse to Rachmaninoff, from opera to Patsy Cline." This morning Glenn turned on the Millennial Choir and listened to their rendition of "America, the Beautiful." As Glenn was listening to the words and this particular arrangment of the song, the "sense of loss" stuck out to him and he began to wonder "is this a plea, a prayer, or a simple statement?"
Listen to Glenn's narration of the Millennial Choir's rendition of "America, the Beautiful."
Rough Transcript Below:
GLENN: America, God shed his grace on thee, is that a plea? Is that a prayer? Or is it a statement? The beginning of the song, they're just talking about the land. And I think it's a statement. America, look what God has done! He has preserved this land for something great. He's shed his grace here. Now it's up to you. What are you going to do with it? That was the question for the Pilgrims. Would it be gold or would it be God? Hatred, bigotry, or love?
Hand in hand with the Native Americans, our Pilgrims beat a path of freedom with their plowshares of self-control, righteousness, determination, hard work, and faith.
[Music playing]
GLENN: This is where the song becomes the Pilgrim's simple, stern prayer: May God mend thine every flaw and confirm thy soul in self-control. They knew we would be flawed. They knew we would lose our self-control. And they knew that sacrifice would be needed. And a new generation would rise to answer that call.
[Music playing]
GLENN: I think this is where it becomes a plea, almost a warning, success is going to be hard. You're going to lose your way, America. May God let gold refine. To all success be nobleness, and every gain divine. You have to look back to find out where we came from to know where you're going. It's a prayer from the hero generation to us. The hero generation crying out, telling us, who exactly we must be again.
[Music playing]
GLENN: We are the patriots that now must see beyond the years, the fears, and the human tears. It's a statement. God shed his grace on thee. A plea. Crown thy good with brotherhood. Unite. And a prayer. Unite from sea to shining sea.
America, it is up to us. Now is our time. He has done his job. And he has seen that it is good.
[Music playing]
GLENN: Now is the time that we must awaken and unite with a renewed sense of brotherhood throughout the land.
[Music playing]
GLENN: It will and must be us that renews the American dream. That is my prayer.
[Music playing]